Mob attack on Guj govt officials with bows-arrows, swords, axes in Banaskantha forest: FIR lodged against 500
26 people named in FIR; Of 47 injured, a few govt officials still in hospitals
Written by Parimal A Dabhi
Ahmedabad | Updated: December 15, 2025 11:01 AM IST
3 min read
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The FIR registered against around 500 persons also named 26 persons as accused. Further investigation is on to arrest the accused, police said. (File)
A day after a mob of around 500 people allegedly attacked state government officials from revenue, police and forest departments at Padaliya village in Banaskantha district, the district police have registered an FIR under sections of attempted murder, dacoity and other charges under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Prevention of Damages to Public Property Act.
The FIR registered against around 500 persons also named 26 persons as accused. Further investigation is on to arrest the accused, police said.
The incident took place at Padaliya village near the temple town of Ambaji in Danta taluka of Banaskantha district on Saturday. The FIR has been registered based on the complaint filed by an official of the forest department at Ambaji police station.
Banaskantha district Superintendent of Police Prashant Sumbe said, “We have registered the FIR at Ambaji police station against around 500 persons on charges of attempt to murder, dacoity and damage to public property. A total of 26 accused have been named in the FIR and the process to arrest the accused is on. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident so far.”
Around 47 government officials were injured in the alleged attack and a few of them are still under treatment at hospitals.
Official sources said that the attack has alleged involvement of members of an organisation known as AC Bharat Sarkar Sangathan.
A top source said, “Members of this group were involved in an altercation that happened recently with forest officials regarding plantation on a piece of forest land. They believe that they are the original owners of this land and they do not believe in Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha. They call themselves Bharat Sarkar and move around with red beacons on their vehicles. It looks like they have instigated people. There is a video in which they were seen telling people that they rule this forest.”
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“Yesterday, as forest officials started planting under police presence, they seem to have attacked them with a plan. The FIR has mentioned this group and police are investigating every angle,” the top source added.
An official release from the forest officer of Ambaji North Forest Circle on Sunday stated that the people of a group known as AC Bharat Sangathan had halted the tree plantation exercise in Padaliya on December 5. An FIR was also registered in connection with that incident.
As per the release, a mob stopped the tree plantation exercise on December 11 following which the forest officer of the range had informed the Danta Mamlatdar and Deputy Conservator of Forest in writing. On December 13, when forest officials reached the spot along with police and Danta Mamlatdar for the plantation drive, a mob of around 500 people staged protests. And leaders of this mob had instigated people and suddenly an attack was launched on the government officials with stones, bow and arrows, swords and axes and hurdles were created on the exit road by cutting trees and throwing stones.
The release added that the forest department has repeatedly made representations about continuous obstacles being created by AC Bharat Sangathan in various works carried out by the department.
Parimal A Dabhi works with The Indian Express, focusing on the state of Gujarat. Leveraging his seniority and access, Dabhi is recognized for his reporting on the complex interplay of law, politics, social justice, and governance within the region.
Expertise & Authority (E-E-A-T)
Core Authority (Social Justice and Law): Dabhi is a key source for in-depth coverage of caste-based violence, discrimination, and the state's response to social movements, particularly those involving Dalit and OBC communities. His reporting focuses on the societal and legal fallout of these issues:
Caste and Discrimination: He has reported extensively on social boycotts and instances of violence against Dalits (such as the attack on a Dalit wedding party in Patan), the community's demands (like refusing to pick carcasses), and the political responses from leaders like Jignesh Mevani.
Judicial and Legal Affairs: He tracks significant, high-stakes legal cases and judgments that set precedents in Gujarat, including the convictions under the stringent Gujarat Animal Preservation Act (cow slaughter), and developments in cases involving former police officers facing charges of wrongful confinement.
Political and Administrative Oversight: Dabhi provides essential coverage of the inner workings of the state government and the opposition, ensuring a high degree of Trustworthiness in political analysis:
State Assembly Proceedings: He frequently reports directly from the Gujarat Assembly, covering Question Hour, debates on budgetary demands for departments like Social Justice, and ministerial statements on issues like illegal mining, job quotas for locals, and satellite-based farm loss surveys.
Electoral Politics: His work details key political developments, including election analysis (voter turnout records), party organizational changes (like the end of C R Patil’s tenure as BJP chief), and campaign dynamics. ... Read More
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